U.S.-Egypt Cooperative Research: Carbon-Nanotube Reinforced Aluminium Composites- A Dual Matrix Approach

0710869 Morsi描述：该项目支持加州圣地亚哥州立大学机械工程系Khaled Morsi博士的合作研究。 埃及合作者是埃及开罗美国大学的Amal Esawi博士。 他们计划在双矩阵方法中研究碳纳米管增强铝复合材料。由于最近报道的碳纳米管（CNT）的特殊的机械和电气性能，它们目前被认为是潜在的增强，可以提供相当大的好处，复合材料工业。然而，最近的研究表明，金属基体内纳米管的分布/分散性差是一个主要问题。 此外，由于CNT的非常高的纵横比，在相对低的增强体体积分数下，碳纳米管脆性相的互连性预计将导致复合材料的延展性的灾难性下降。迄今为止，这些障碍阻碍了纳米管增强金属基复合材料的发展。本项目提出了新的微结构设计策略，以克服这些缺陷，促进纳米管基纳米复合材料的科学技术发展。智力优势：主要目的是发展对单基体和双基体碳纳米管-铝（Al）新型复合材料的加工-微结构-性能关系的基本理解。明确了三个目标。1.采用机械合金化工艺制备碳纳米管-铝复合粉末，并对复合粉末中增强相的分布和复合颗粒的尺寸进行表征。2.热挤压块体均匀分散的碳纳米管-铝单基体和双基体复合材料。3.评价碳纳米管-铝单、双基体复合材料的力学性能。预计该研究成果也将对其他NT金属复合材料具有重要价值。更广泛的影响：该项目有望加强两国之间的国际科学关系，特别是在这样一个新兴的研究领域。该项目将涉及双方的研究生和本科生的研究教育活动。少数民族女学生的参与将通过现有的PI机构系统来实现。PI计划每年向潜在的未来学生（小学-高中）介绍金属基复合材料和CNT作为增强材料的潜力。通过在领先期刊上共同撰写出版物，会议演示和工业研讨会的国际工业教育也将作为研究成果的技术转让和教育工具。公布的结果将被纳入两国的研究生/高等本科课程。将通过开发小型挤压钻机加强基础设施。 该项目得到了美国-埃及联合基金方案的支持，该方案向两国的科学家和工程师提供赠款，以开展这些合作活动。

0710869MorsiDescription: This project supports collaborative research by Dr. Khaled Morsi, Department of Mechanical Engineering, San Diego State University, San Diego, California. The Egyptian collaborator is Dr. Amal Esawi, American University in Cairo, Cairo, Egypt. They plan to study Carbon-Nanotube Reinforced Aluminum Composites in a Dual Matrix Approach. Because of recently reported exceptional mechanical and electrical properties of carbon nanotubes (CNTs), they are currently considered as potential reinforcements that can provide considerable benefits to the composite materials industry. Recent research has however shown that poor distribution/dispersion of the nanotubes within the metallic matrix, is a major problem. Furthermore, due to the very high aspect ratios of CNTs, at relatively low reinforcement volume fractions, the interconnectivity of the carbon nanotube brittle phase is expected to lead to a catastrophic drop in the composite''s ductility. To date these impediments have hindered the development of nanotube reinforced metal matrix composites. This project addresses new strategies for microstructural design that should overcome these shortcomings, & promote the scientific & technological development of nanotube-based nanocomposites.INTELLECTUAL MERIT: The main aim is to develop a fundamental understanding of the processing-microstructure-property relations for single and dual matrix CNT- aluminum (Al) novel composites. Three objectives are specified. 1. To manufacture CNT-Al composite powders by the mechanical alloying process, and to characterize the distribution of reinforcements and composite particle size. 2. To hot extrude bulk well-dispersed CNT-Al single and dual matrix composites. 3. To evaluate the mechanical properties of CNT-Al single and dual matrix composites. It is expected that results from this research will also be of fundamental value to other NT-metal composites.BROADER IMPACTS: The project is expected to enhance the international scientific relations between the two countries, especially in such an emerging research area. The project will involve of both graduates and undergraduates in the research & educational activities on both sides. Involvement of Minority & Women students will be realized through the existing PI institution system. The PIs plan to annually give a general presentation on metal matrix composites and the potential of CNTs as reinforcements to potential future students (elementary-High school). International & Industrial education through jointly authored publications in the leading journals, conference presentations & industrial seminars will also be pursued as technology transfer and education tools for the research results. Published results will be incorporated in graduate/upper undergraduate level courses in both countries. Infrastructure will be enhanced through the development of a small-scale extrusion rig. This project is being supported under the US-Egypt Joint Fund Program, which provides grants to scientists and engineers in both countries to carry out these cooperative activities.